World News
Raise the Colours member denies murder of Staffordshire businessman
Billy Allison pleaded not guilty to murder and causing grievous bodily harm in connection with a May altercation outside a Lichfield bar.
The short version
- Billy Allison, 36, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of businessman Matthew O'Gara and to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to another man.
- The charges stem from a May 24 incident outside the Ricco & Loren bar in Lichfield, Staffordshire, where two men were reportedly punched.
- O'Gara died in a hospital two days after the incident, while the second victim was treated and discharged.
- A trial is scheduled to begin on October 28 and is expected to last approximately 10 days.
Key facts
- Billy Allison, a member of the flag-raising group Raise the Colours, entered his not guilty pleas via video link at Stafford Crown Court.[The Guardian]
- Police were called to the Ricco & Loren bar on Market Street in Lichfield on May 24 following reports that two men had been punched.[The Guardian]
- Matthew O’Gara, the director of a nearby pub in Huddlesford, died in the hospital two days after sustaining serious injuries in the incident.[The Guardian]
- A second injured man attended the hospital and was later discharged.[The Guardian]
- Judge Mukherjee adjourned the case and set the trial to begin on October 28.[The Guardian]
Sources
- Raise the Colours member denies murder of man in StaffordshireThe Guardian - World